RA Blood test level is at 40

[cjcrawford]

Hello Doctor,
I am a 37 yo female with epilepsy.  Recently my blood work came back with a level of 40 when testing for RA.  I understand that my epilepsy medications can mask some problems in blood work, but I do believe that my arthritis is getting worse.  I've read that 40 isn't high enough to really worry about, BUT, there are days I cannot use my hands due to the pain.  I can't take NSAIDS (bad reaction that simulates congestive heart failure).  I'm on a long waiting list to see a Rheumatologist, so I was hoping you could give some advice?  So far the only advice I've gotten is to keep moving, so I do yoga morning and night (for seniors, bc of my health issues).  Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,
C Crawford

[mkh9]

Yes, I have problems with Ibuprofen too. I have to take it will a full meal and I can't take it for very long only a few days. I get stomach pain otherwise. But it is the best thing for my migraines. Even better than the Sumatriptans etc. I wonder about the edema for me too. I have done the same thing due to a back injury is to start walking in very small increments and increase distance very slowly. So now I can do an hour. After the injury I was only able to barely walk across the room. I too have osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. The days I don't exercise I feel worse.
take care,
mkh9

[jemma116]

When you need to use the Ibuprofen, take this with or after food to protect your stomach.  Or a stomach medication to protect the linking of the stomach like Omeprazole.  
I am not able to take Ibuprofen because after being on it for months, I had a problem with my leg swelling up really badly.  Dr. said that it was oedema as a result of the Ibuprofen.  

I have found for myself that my arthritis (I have osteoarthritis) is much worse with certain foods, everyone is different so you do need to keep a record of what you consume and how you feel.  When I am tired and over done too much in a day, I am worse for it the next day.  The thing is to pace yourself.

I too have been given that advice from the doctor about keep moving.  The thing is there are the right type of exercises to do for the condition that you have and also to know your limits and not to exercise to the point of exhaustion.  At a pain management course, we have been told to find our core number of how many times we can do a certain exercise within 1 minute (not rushed) - this can be from sitting to standing up, arm stretches, leg stretches for example; and then to halve that number.  The halved number would be how many times we had to perform the excise and then gradually build it up over a number of weeks until.  If you are finding it difficult to do a task because of the pain you are having or limited in movement, then the solution is to break down that task and do it in stages and not all in one go.

Best wishes.

[mkh9]

we are not doctors on this site but I add my 2 cents. I know there are other meds that are stronger for RA but I don't recommend them due to all the side effects.  40 isn't that high but it depends on the lab test used and as your medication may be blocking the results. I haven't heard of this blocking reaction but I supposed it can happen if it is a PCR test. Again it depends on what test they are using.  One think you can do is get your CRP tested (C-reactive protein). It is a general test for inflammation as is the ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate). These might tell you and/or your doctor if the inflammation is higher or they can maybe do a titer if it is a serology test for your RA and if it goes up next time to 80 or 160 then you will know that it is rising. That is probably a better way to look at it. I am on the Dr. McDoughall diet which is very healthy non fat vegan diet. You can look at the testimonials on the website and discussions about how well people have done with their cholesterol, weight , lowering inflammation, etc. Why do you message me and I'll send you the link if you are interested. I don' t know if you are ready for a major change in your diet but there are also several books and a DVD that talks about how a non fat plant based diet can help many problems. There have been many studies on this not just a fad diet and it is not a temporary diet.  I can't guarantee that it will work but it sounds like it is good for not just lowering your weight and cholesterol (which has for us) but also for inflammatory diseases. It may be worth a try. They even have a clinic in Los Angeles and Santa Maria, CA.  I haven't gone to them and  most people learn on their own. I think walking is good as well and heat always makes arthritis feel better. I have a migraine variant and I'm on several drugs that are also for epilepsy. My EEG is abnormal as well but for a migraine pattern rather than a seizure pattern. They didn't used to be able to tell. May I ask what meds you are on? I do take Ibupropin but only once in a while because it kills my stomach. Hope this helps.
mkh9